Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return

Also known as: TAPVR

What is Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return?

Ordinarily, oxygen-rich blood in the body enters the heart from the lungs through a series of four veins that feed into the left atrium ( the heart’s left upper chamber ) of the heart. With total anomalous pulmonary venous return, however, these veins from the lungs connect to other veins which eventually drain into the other upper chamber of the heart ( the right atrium ). The result is that the heart overworks and the body does not get the blood ( and the amount of blood with oxygen ) that it needs. The condition can be quite deadly in many instances.

What causes total anomalous pulmonary venous return?

Total anomalous pulmonary venous return is a defect that babies are born with (congenital birth defect). It is often present with other heart problems. The exact cause is not known.

What are the symptoms of total anomalous pulmonary venous return?

Babies with total anomalous pulmonary venous return will have a blue or purple tint to their lips, skin & nails, breath hard and rapidly especially when feeding and fatigue easily.

What are total anomalous pulmonary venous return care options?

Surgery is always required to repair this defect, critically ill babies will need it immediately; others as soon as possible.

Upcoming Events

The Heart Program at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital provides electrocardiogram (EKG) screenings to children and young adults in the community at no cost. The focus of this program is to create awareness on the importance of pediatric heart screenings in an effort to identify children at risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The use of an electrocardiogram (EKG) is critical to help diagnose asymptomatic heart defects that may not otherwise be detected in a routine physical. Learn more.